Both honorees currently reside in Texas and will be honored by TOBA at their National Awards Dinner Friday, Sept. 5 at Walmac International in Lexington, Ky. Award winning Sawyer Brown will provide the entertainment.
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association has selected WinStar Farm's Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt to receive the organization's Industry Service Award. TOBA cited Casner and Troutt's dedication to the sport through their support of endeavors such as Churchill Downs' Klein Family Learning Center, the Race for Education, and the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America. "While Bill and Kenny have made a significant impact on our sport (with) the founding of WinStar Farm and one of the most prominent racing stables in the country, their contribution of time and money through a number of charities is equally impressive," said TOBA president Dan Metzger. "Their commitment and passion for the horse, as well as the unsung workers in our industry, will only make our sport even stronger." The Klein Family Learning Center and its WinStar Library and Classrooms assist backside workers learning English as a second language and life skill such as managing a check book and health care issues. Casner, a native of Texas, conceived of and launched the Race for Education, a national scholarship foundation, provides educational opportunities to children of racing's backside workers and farm workers. Casner also supports the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. He and his wife Susan are also involved with organizing the White Horse Heroes Luncheon. Casner serves on the boards of TOBA, the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky, and the NTRA Political Action committee. Troutt initiated the White Horse Award, which is given to a backstretch, racing or farm worker judged to have performed the most heroic act in behalf of human or horse through the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America. Troutt serves on the board of directors of the Breeders' Cup and is a trustee of TOBA.